Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zionism'

English Word: zionism

Key Russian Translations:

• сионизм /sʲɪɐˈnʲizm/ - [Formal, used in political and historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in academic, political, or historical discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced; requires understanding of political ideologies and Russian loanwords, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of intermediate vocabulary and grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сионизм: /sʲɪɐˈnʲizm/

Note on сионизм: The stress falls on the third syllable (-'nʲizm). The initial 'sʲ' sound is a palatalized 's', which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 's' in "measure" but sharper. Variations may occur in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The political movement advocating for the establishment and support of a Jewish homeland.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сионизм - Used in formal discussions about 20th-century history, international relations, or Jewish studies; often appears in academic texts or news articles.

Usage Examples:

• В 19 веке сионизм стал мощным движением, стремящимся к созданию еврейского государства.

  In the 19th century, Zionism became a powerful movement striving for the creation of a Jewish state.

• Многие интеллектуалы критиковали сионизм за его влияние на ближневосточную политику.

  Many intellectuals criticized Zionism for its influence on Middle Eastern politics.

• Сионизм, как идеология, эволюционировал от культурного возрождения к политическому активизму.

  Zionism, as an ideology, evolved from cultural revival to political activism.

• В современном мире сионизм часто обсуждается в контексте Израиля и палестинского конфликта.

  In the modern world, Zionism is often discussed in the context of Israel and the Palestinian conflict.

• Критики сионизма иногда путают его с иудаизмом, но это отдельные концепции.

  Critics of Zionism sometimes confuse it with Judaism, but they are separate concepts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сионизм" is a masculine noun borrowed from English/French via international terminology. It follows the pattern of many abstract nouns ending in -изм (like "капитализм" or "коммунизм"), which are typically indeclinable in modern Russian usage. However, it can inflect in certain contexts for grammatical agreement.

Note: While it is somewhat regular, as a loanword, it may remain undeclined in informal or fixed phrases to preserve its foreign origin.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None direct, but related terms include "иудаизм" (Judaism) - though it refers to the religion, not the political movement. "Сионистская идеология" can be used interchangeably in some contexts but implies a broader framework.
• Antonyms: антисионизм (anti-Zionism) - Used to describe opposition to Zionist principles, often in political debates.

Related Phrases:

• Сионистское движение - A phrase referring to the Zionist movement; used in historical analyses (e.g., in the context of early 20th-century events).
• Сионистская идеология - Refers to the core ideas of Zionism; common in academic discussions about ideology evolution.
• Критика сионизма - Criticism of Zionism; often appears in debates on international politics, with implications for Middle Eastern affairs.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "сионизм" directly corresponds to the English "Zionism" as a political and ideological term, but it is typically reserved for formal, academic, or journalistic contexts. English learners should note that it is a loanword and does not have native Russian equivalents, so usage is straightforward but context-dependent. For instance, avoid it in casual conversations; instead, it's ideal for essays or debates. When choosing between translations, "сионизм" is the standard and most precise. Grammatically, it functions as a masculine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly (e.g., "сионизм развивался" - Zionism developed).

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as /sɪˈoʊnɪzm/ (influenced by English). Correct: /sʲɪɐˈnʲizm/ - English speakers often overlook the palatalized 'sʲ' sound, which can make the word sound less authentic. Example of error: Saying "сио-низм" instead of the proper stressed pronunciation.

• Error: Confusing it with "иудаизм" (Judaism) in usage. Correct: While related, "сионизм" is political, not religious. For example, incorrect sentence: "Сионизм - это религия" (Zionism is a religion). Correct: "Сионизм - это политическое движение" (Zionism is a political movement).

• Error: Failing to decline it properly in sentences. Correct: Use the appropriate case, e.g., "обсуждение сионизма" (discussion of Zionism) in genitive case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, "сионизм" carries significant historical connotations, often linked to 20th-century events like the Russian Revolution and World War II, where it was debated in the context of Jewish emigration and the establishment of Israel. Due to Russia's complex history with Jewish populations and the Soviet era's anti-Zionist stance, the term can evoke sensitive political discussions, including accusations of anti-Semitism if used pejoratively. English learners should approach it with awareness of these nuances to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

Related Concepts:

• антисемитизм
• иудаизм
• палестинский конфликт
• национализм